Dendrobium kirchianum
Dendrobium kirchianum A.D.Hawkes & A.H.Heller, Lloydia 20 (1957) 121 (nom.nov.).
Type: Bogor cult. (Exp. Lorentz, Djibdja) s.n. (?iso L, probably type, Bogor cult. s.n. 1913).
Synonyms:
- Dendrobium bulbophylloides J.J.Sm., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 12 (1913) 31 (non Schltr.); Nova Guinea 12, 4 (1916) 286, t. 105, fig. 183.
- Type: Bogor cult. (Exp. Lorentz, Djibdja) s.n. (?iso L, probably type, Bogor cult. s.n. 1913). - Dendrobium bulbophylloides J.J.Sm., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 12 (1913) 31 (non Schltr.); Nova Guinea 12, 4 (1916) 286, t. 105, fig. 183.
- Diplocaulobium kirchianum (A.D.Hawkes & A.H.Heller) P.F.Hunt & Summerh., Taxon 10 (1961) 109.
Rhizome creeping, branching. Pseudobulbs 0.65-1 cm apart, 1-leaved, subcylindrical, deeply 6-grooved, 1.5-1.8 by 0.28-0.4 cm, with the base appressed to the rhizome, ascending. Leaves curved, lanceolate, 2.2-3 by 0.55-0.75 cm, rigidly coriaceous, apex subequally bidentate. Inflorescences 1-flowered, spathe 0.8-0.9 cm long; peduncle 0.5 cm long. Pedicel 1.5 cm long; ovary 0.2 cm long, 6-angled, almost 6-winged, with the wings undulating. Flower c. 2 cm across. Dorsal sepal triangular-linear, 1.15 cm by 3 mm, apex acute. Lateral sepals obliquely triangular-linear-acuminate, 1.2 cm by 7 mm, apex acute; mentum 0.6 cm long, obtuse. Petals linear-lanceolate, slightly contracted above the base, 1.1 cm long, at the base 1.3 mm wide, apex sharply acute. Lip 3-lobed, 1.23 by 0.38 cm, with 3 keels; lateral lobes triangular, obtuse to subretuse; midlobe recurved, elliptic-ovate, 0.64 by 0.4 cm, acute. Column 0.15 cm long, stelidia obtuse, filament longer, subulate; column-foot 0.5 cm long. Anther 0.75 mm wide.
(after Smith, 1916).
Sepals and petals white, lip yellowish, below the midlobe with purple dots arranged in lines, on the base of the midlobe with dark purple spots.
Epiphyte in lowland swamp forest, mangroves and coastal forest.
New Guinea (endemic).
Papua (Merauke Regency); Papua New Guinea (Gulf Province).
Warm growing epiphyte?.
February-December. Flowers last 2 to 3 days (fide O'Byrne).
- O'Byrne, P. 1994. Lowland Orchids of Papua New Guinea: 188, fig.
Dendrobium kirchianum A.D.Hawkes & A.H.Heller is one of many relatives of Dendrobium chrysotropis Schltr.; unlike the latter the lip is distinctly 3-lobed in D. kirchianum.
Sponsored Ads
Dendrobium kirchianum
Dendrobium kirchianum A.D.Hawkes & A.H.Heller, habit, photo P. O'Byrne, based on O'Byrne D1035
Dendrobium kirchianum
Dendrobium kirchianum A.D.Hawkes & A.H.Heller, habit, photo P. O'Byrne, based on O'Byrne D1035
Dendrobium kirchianum
Dendrobium kirchianum A.D.Hawkes & A.H.Heller, as Dendrobium bulbophylloides J.J.Sm., drawing J.J. Smith, based on Bogor cult. (Djibdja) s.n.